At an all-black army camp, civilian parachute maker and “hot bundle” Carmen Jones is desired by many of the men. Naturally, she wants Joe, who’s engaged to sweet Cindy Lou and about to go into pilot training for the Korean War. Going after him, she succeeds only in getting him into the stockade. While she awaits his release, trouble approaches for both of them. Songs from the Bizet opera with modernized lyrics.
The Film Forum here in New York City celebrates Black History Month with a 4-week run, celebrating over 80 years of the most iconic African American actresses ever seen on the big screen. I was lucky enough to catch a few classics and I’m so excited to share them with you.
In this romantic, musical and funny story, Carmen Jones (Dorothy Dandridge) is a gorgeous, bold woman working in a parachute factory. With many male suitors falling for her, she sets her eyes on a man named Joe (Harry Belafonte) who seems to be the only one not interested. After Carmen has an altercation with a co-worker, she is detained and Joe is ordered to transport her to jail.
Their adventure begins on the long ride as Carmen tries to escape and finally coerces Joe into stopping at her family’s home where she seduces him. After he becomes head-over-heels for Carmen, the roles have reversed as he now obsessively chases her. When she meets a rich professional Boxer who’s had his eye on her, he entices her and her friends with money and gifts. She finally caves to his will as Joe suddenly becomes a burden on her independence. With lots of singing, dancing, and a shocking ending, this story about unrequited love is a classic you’ll want to watch over and over again. The cast is wonderful and the talent is just remarkable! Dorothy Dandridge was an actress, singer, and dancer and the first African American to receive a Best Actress nomination for “Carmen Jones.” Dorothy and Harry Belafonte starred in three films together, “The Bright Road” in 1953, “Carmen Jones” in 1954 and “The Island Sun” in 1957.
“Carmen Jones” recently screened as part of BLACK WOMEN, an epic series spotlighting over 80 years of trailblazing African American actresses and images in American movies that ran at the Film Forum from Friday, January 17th to Thursday, February 13th.
